How to report bullying in NYC public schools

If your child is being bullied at a New York City public school, you have several ways to report it:

• Talk to someone at the school—like the "Respect for All Liaison" or the principal. The school must enter reports into a system called OORS (Online Occurrence Reporting System), so be sure to ask for the report number and keep a copy.
• File a complaint online, by phone, or by email with the NYC Department of Education.

If the bullying continues, or if you’re not getting updates, contact the Office of Safety and Youth Development or your school’s superintendent. 

If the bullying is coming from a teacher or school staff member, you can also report it to the Office of Special Investigations.

These steps only apply to NYC public schools—not charter schools.

Advocates for Children helps New York students get the high-quality education they deserve. Their work focuses especially on students from low-income backgrounds. Read their full guide to learn more about how to report bullying to school, district, or state agencies.